Mozart in Opera History Pre-1781
Mozart's Role in the Opera's Development before Moving to Vienna
The role of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the history of the opera prior to his Vienna move as a freelance composer and performer.
Mozart played an important role in the history of the opera before his move to Vienna in 1781. His most memorable operas, and certainly, considered masterpieces of all time, are as alive on stage today as they were in the year 1781.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, regarded by many as the greatest composer of all time, was born on the 27th of January, 1756, in Salzburg. Mozart ranks as one of the greatest geniuses of western civilization, his enormous output including every form of composition, symphonies, concertos, sonatas, chamber music, sacred music, and opera.
Mozart wrote operas in each style: opera buffa, including Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) and Così fan tutte; drama giocoso Don Giovanni; opera seria such as Idomeneo and La clemenza di Tito (The Clemency of Titus); and singspiel, of which Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) is probably the most famous example by any composer. Mozart realized the vision of his predecessor, Gluck, by marrying the elements of drama characterization in vocal and instrumental music, along with spectacular stage effects.
The Early Life of Mozart
Mozart was a child prodigy. His older sister, Maria Anna or Nannerl, was also talented. The children's father, Leopold, realizing his children's dual ability, took them "on the road," giving performances in Europe's royal courts.
Mozart loved the opera so much and counted on it for his professional, artistic, and financial reasons. He wrote his first opera-like composition at the age of 11. A few weeks after that he composed the music for Apollo et Hyacinthus, his first opera.
Opera Seria (Tragic Opera)
At that time, the operatic genre favored by the aristocracy was a type of opera called "heroic" or "serious" opera (opera seria). Opera seria was the conventional form of Italian opera, following strict rules perfected in the librettos of Metastasio, a prominent Italian writer and poet.
Mozart's First Major Opera Idomeneo
In 1780, Mozart, aged 24, received a commission from Munich to write the opera seria Idomeneo, rè di Creta, based on a mythical character from Homer. Idomeneo, premiered on January 29, 1781, and was Mozart's first major opera. Granting that his effort was a result to win employment from the court in Munich, in this work Mozart's genius added an unprecedented charge of emotion and drama to the conventions of opera seria. Its dramatic momentum transcended the traditional rituals of opera seria and the characters were given depth.
The opera was well received in Munich. Unfortunately, it was forgotten for the rest of Mozart's lifetime, until the 20th century. The real start of Mozart's busy operatic career followed his move to Vienna in 1781, and won a commission from Joseph II. Mozart's compositional technique reached an unprecedented level of mastery.
Mozart's Idomeneo is generally considered the greatest opera seria ever written. More information on Mozart's life may be found in Mozart in Opera History from 1781.
Sources
How to Enjoy Opera without Really Trying by John Cargher, Hill of content (1986)
Opera by Clive Griffin, Collins / Focus Publishing (2007)
